Nathan Lyon's availability for Lancashire reduced by Cricket Australia

The 36-year-old spinner had been due to call Emirates Old Trafford home for the entire 2024 campaign

Elizabeth Botcherby | 27/03/2024 at 14:19

Lancashire are considering bringing in another overseas signing for the 2024 campaign after Nathan Lyon's availability was reduced.

The 36-year-old spinner had been due to call Emirates Old Trafford home for the entire 2024 campaign and feature in all formats.

However, on the advice on Cricket Australia, who wish to manage his workload leading into the 2024/25 Australian summer, he is now only available for seven of the first nine rounds of the County Championship.

He will arrive at Old Trafford ahead of ahead of Lancashire's season opener against Surrey, which is scheduled to begin on April 5, and will remain at the club until early July, with his final appearance expected to come against Nottinghamshire in Southport (June 30-July 3).

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^{Lyon had been due to be available in all formats throughout the season [Darrian Traynor/Getty Images]}

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^{Tom Bruce is the other overseas player in Lancashire's squad [Mike Bradley/Getty Images]}

With Lyon now unavailable for the T20 Blast, director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton, has confirmed Lancashire are "assessing our options regarding overseas players".

New Zealand international Tom Bruce is the other overseas player currently in their squad for 2024. He will be available in all formats throughout the season.

"Naturally, we are disappointed that Nathan will no longer be joining us for the full 2024 season. However, we are still incredibly excited to be able to welcome him for seven matches in the Vitality County Championship," Chilton said.

"After speaking with Nathan since this decision was taken, I know that he is still really excited about joining up with us and remains very committed to Lancashire Cricket, supporting the group and helping us to achieve our goals this summer.

"With Nathan no longer being available for our white-ball campaigns this summer, we are now assessing our options regarding overseas players and a number of discussions are currently taking place on that front."

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